There are some days we arise to go about our day and it appears to be a chore just to get out of the bed. You began to think that the job will still be there if we choose to get back in the bed, no one will miss you if you just stay home today. As a matter of fact, will you be missed if you don’t come back at all? If you have found your purpose, those whom you work alongside each day, will miss your presence as well as the mission you toil to complete each day.

Last week I questioned myself wondering if what I was doing actually mattered to anyone. Does what I do make a difference to anyone other than the fool in my head that urges me daily to trudge on? There are times when I am uncertain, that was until last night.

One of my co-workers called in sick and I was asked to fill in. I had already filled in on her duties once and felt I had done my part. When asked to do so again, I declined. Somewhere during my evening, I realized that maybe it was a moment when I needed to be bigger than myself and consider the long term impact versus the short term inconvenience. I went in at 7:30 at night to cover a two hour course. I had been at work at 7:30 for my 8 am course, my 10 am and 12:30 pm classes; I was tired. Yet, I got in there and did what was needed.

Tired, worn and limping home at 10:15 pm, at my 10 am class the next day, I was not fully functioning because I was tired. I was stopped in the hall by one of the Directors who asked if I was the one that filled in last night. I nodded wondering who had something to say. I was informed that two students came to her raving how much they enjoyed my lecture and how much they learned. Who knew?

Sometimes the smallest gestures can have the deepest impact and we must find that which we enjoy. Once you enjoy yourself, then it no longer becomes work. When what you do each day is no longer work, you my friend, have found your place.